KEYWORDS: maritime law; the law of the sea; international conventions; EU law; exclusive economic zone; protection of the environment; safety of shipping; carriage by sea; ship; maritime delimitations.

SUMMARY:

The aim of this project is to provide a doctrinal background for the further development of the maritime legislation of the Republic of Croatia, in accordance with internationally adopted standards and the law of the European Union (EU). The development of maritime law and the law of the sea is of utmost importance for the overall economic structures existing within the EU. The maritime legislation that is at present in force in Croatia does not fall behind the legislation in other maritime states, such as the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Scandinavian countries, etc. In 1994, the Croatian Parliament (Sabor) enacted the Maritime Code, which was the fist Croatian systematic and integral legislative codex. However, many international legal instruments were adopted after the Maritime Code had entered into force.

The provisions of the Maritime Code ought to be modified and amended in conformity with recent international solutions. The Croatian Government continuously makes efforts in order to facilitate the entry of the Republic of Croatia into European structures. Therefore, special attention shall be drawn to the adjustment of the Maritime Code to the EU law. Some important areas of maritime law, such as the protection of maritime environment; carriage of goods and passengers by sea; safety of navigation; marine insurance; etc., require new solutions and further legal development. Within the project, full attention shall be paid to the subject matter of the maritime delimitation of the Republic of Croatia with neighbouring states, as well as to the important topic of the proclamation of the exclusive economic zone.

A modern database containing all necessary and actual data on maritime law will be created in the course of the research. The data will be available to relevant bodies and institutions in Croatia.

Project financed by the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia.